ROYAL AIR FORCE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION www.rafregt.org.uk BIRMINGHAM BRANCH
Birmingham Branch Birthdays Page 2 Association Reunion and AGM Page 2 – Branch Appeal Goodies for the Military Ward Page 3
Jim Davies of Middlewich, Cheshire Page 3 – ASSOCIA TION REUNION A Picture Jim Handing Over a Cheque Page 3 AND AG M Page 2 From the Branch Secretary Page 3 Death Notices: Page 3 Ken Langley of Salisbury Wilshire Page 3 GOODIES FOR THE Low Flying in Wales Page 4 Page 3 Low Flying Page 5 MILITARY WARD – Low Flying the Facts Page 5 Low Flying Area 7 (LFA7T) Page 5 “ ” “ ” THE GREAT GAME The Great Game Page 6 Page 6 First Anglo/Afghan War, 1838-184 Page 6 Second Anglo/Afghan War 1878-1880 Page 8 NATIONAL MEMORIAL Third Anglo/Afghan War 1919-1919 Page 9 Fourth Anglo/Afghan War 2001-to date Page 9 “ ” ARBORETUM UPDATE Tommy With Apologies to Kipling Page 10 Page 12 RAF Regiment Books Page 11 National Memorial Arboretum Update Page 12 NEWS OF THE RAF Henry Allingham Wreath on Display at NMA Page 12 Royal Naval Patrol Service Memorial Page 12 REGIMENT Page 13 RAFA Memorial Sculpture Nearing Completion Page 13 Future Events at NMA Page 13 News of the RAF Regiment Page 13 Death Notices Page 13 Former Gunner William Malloy Page 13 Former ex-ACC Victor Morte Page 14 General Notices Page 14 Cenotaph Parade Participation Page 14 RAF Regiment Memorial Project 2009 Page 14 “ ” Operation Telic History Capture Page 14 Forming of 8th FP HA & new Field Sqdn Page 14 – Regiment Association Election 2009 Page 15 Another Yeoman Warder from Regiment Page 15 World Record Attempt at Cosford Page 15 Spreading the Word Page 15 The Best Fighters in the RAF Corps Diary Dates Page 15 Joke Time Page 15 Operate on the Ground Dates for Your Diary Page 16
The Royal Air Force Regiment. Birmingham Branch Committee Page 16
Ground-based specialists, NEWSLETTER NO: 243 protecting RAF assets from enemy attack. SEPTEMBER 2009
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THE BIRMINGHAM BRANCH NEWSLETTER NUMBER 243 SEPTEMBER 2009 of the RAF Regiment. Members will gather for Dear Readers. an informal evening on Friday 2nd October. BRANCH BIRTHDAYS A very Happy Birthday to the following There is important business to discuss and Birmingham Branch members whose birthdays report at the AGM on the morning of Saturday 3rd are this month, may you all have many more. October. The AGM will include the result of the
3rd Sept Bernard Wynn Birmingham West Mids election of the new National Secretary and the CG 7th September Clive Cumber Woking Surrey has arranged for an operational report by a team from No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment (The 9th September Spencer Wilcox Tipton West Mids ’s Colour Squadron), recently returned 15th Sept Roy Thomas S Coldfield West Mids Queen 17th Sept Derek Trust BEM Torquay Devon from Afghanistan. These operational reports have 23rd Sept James Patterson Wolverhampton WM proved immensely popular with Association st members in the past. The Muster Parade and On 21 August our Chairman Steven th Brereton Martin sent me the following important Service will be held on the morning of Sunday 4 announcement. Due to the short time remaining October immediately outside the hotel and in the before the Reunion, I immediately forwarded it by shadow of Coventry Cathedral. In addition there e-mail to all our members who have access to the is a programme for ladies and ample opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. internet so those members will have already received it. For the benefit of those without THE REUNION IS NOW JUST 6 WEEKS AWAY SO access to the internet I am publishing it here, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR MEMBERS TO APPLY although by the time the rest of you get it, the FOR TICKETS WITHOUT DELAY
Reunion will be less than three weeks away. Tickets can be obtained by contacting Isle ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL of Wight Tours Ltd, 3 New Road, Lake, MEETING AND REUNION Sandown, Isle of Wight PO345 9JN. Telephone ’s Annual General The Association number 01983 405116. Or by e-mail at Meeting and Reunion is the most important event
3 can to encourage a good attendance by your charge when I told them where the money was ’s always a good car boot sale as there members. going. It Steven Brereton Martin. Chairman are always lots of buyers. Photograph enclosed, Goodies for the Military Ward It is most important that we remember the dangers that our young men and women serving on operations are all facing, so please remember the appeal your Branch Committee have set up. With your help, we can continue to provide these small comforts and any other items that the Military Ward staff ask us for. We can never get enough goodies for the lads, so in the mean time, your continued support is appreciated for we need more money and what better way of raising it than the following letter and keep up the good work. Jim and Sheila. describes. It was sent to me last month by Jim ’t Davies of Middlewich, Cheshire. Now I didn L to R Jim Davies, Ray Penny and W/O Wanbon know that the Military Ward could accept Very well done lads, the Branch is proud financial donations as I understood that they had of you and what a good idea. Any other takers for no facilities for financial donations but Jim, we could appeal for car boot sale goods to help Sheila, Ray and Rita have proved me wrong. Ray the funds. As it happens and by coincidence, last Penny is also a member of the Birmingham month W/O Wanbon met the Branch Chairman Branch. Ron Sharp when he gave a talk to the Moseley Jim Davies of Middlewich, Cheshire Branch RAFA about the Military Ward. Hi Malcolm. Sheila and I did a car boot Ron found his talk to be very interesting sale two weeks ago and the night before we went, and took the opportunity afterwards to introduce I printed out two notices to tell everyone that all himself to him. If any of you would like to the money raised from the car boot sale would be contribute items or cash now as I have found out, given to the Military Ward at Selly Oak Hospital. to this appeal, you can either take them directly to It was very slow as first but as it was a very nice Ward S4, Selly Oak Hospital and ask for Warrant day so there were a lot of buyers at first but when Officer A (Alan) Wanbon RAF, or post them to we got set up and pinned the two notices to the him at Patient Support Services, RCDM, Ward table, things picked up. £93.37 with the car S4, Selly Oak Hospital, Raddlebarn Road, Selly We made a total of ’s make it up Oak, Birmingham, B29 6JD. Alan can also be boot sale and my wife Sheila said let £100.00 which we did. We then telephoned our contacted on 07795 801276. to FROM THE BRANCH SECRETARY friends Ray and Rita Penny who live at Rubery, DEATH NOTICES: Birmingham, and arranged to visit Selly Oak LANGLEY KENNETH. I regret to Hospital with them. Ray and Rita added ten inform you of the death of ex-Corporal Ken pounds to our total so when we arrived at the Langley of Ashmore, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Ken hospital and met RAF Regiment Warrant Officer th “Stoney” (Alan) Wanbon we gave him a che who was born on 29 June 1921, died at the age que th £110.00. of 88 on 12 July 2009. Ken enlisted as a Ground for Gunner on 21st February 1941 and after the RAF Warrant Officer Wanbon was absolutely Regiment was formed served with 2788 made up and said that he would have a Squadron. On 8th November 1942 the British and photograph taken to send to you. We are going to Americans invaded French North Africa in have another car boot sale next September and “Operation Torch” and Ken’s Squadron was Malcolm, can you put this in the Branch ordered to North Africa. On 12th December 1942 newsletter. we can then show the newsletter to the SS Strathallan troopship sailed from the Clyde the people at the High School where the car boots on her second trip to Algeria, as commodore are held as they let us use the car boot sale free of vessel of a convoy bound for Oran. She was
4 carrying 4,000 British and US troops and 250 between two Canadian regiments, Lord ’s nurses. The troops on board ’s Horse and the Governor ’s Queen Alexandra Strathcona -General included 2788 Squadron. On 21st December 1942 Horse Guards. The battle of Monte Casino was a she was torpedoed by the German submarine costly series of four battles with the intention of U562 in bright moonlight and fine weather shortly breaking through the German Winter Line and after passing through the Straits of Gibraltar about seizing Rome. From January 17th to May 18th 1944, 75 kilometres (45 miles) off Bougie. She was hit the defences were assaulted four times by Allied in the engine room on the port side at 2.25 am, troops. For the last of these the Allies gathered 20 two engineer officers and two Indian engine-room divisions for a major assault along a twenty mile crew being killed in the explosion, but no other front and drove the German defenders from their lives were lost. Flying Officer F R Dodd of 2788 positions but at a high cost. In July 1944 2788 Squadron was subsequently awarded the MBE for Squadron was detached from 1320 Wing to take “Operation Dragoon”, the invasion of the his work in rescuing men from the dark and oil- part in filled waters of Algiers Bay. The nurses and south of France and subsequently landed on the 1,000 troops were picked up by the destroyer beaches of St Raphael. Ken continued his service HMS Verity and another destroyer, HMS Laforey, with 2788 Squadron in Greece and Palestine until took Strathallan in tow. With the help of the his discharge on 14th February 1946. His funeral salvage tug Restive it was hoped that she might took place on 22nd July 2009 with one hundred reach Oran, but her list increased and the and fifty-six mourners attending. He is survived “Keepers remainder of the troops were taken off by by his wife, Mrs Edith Langley of ”, Green Lane, Ashmore, Salisbury escorting destroyers. At 1.15 pm she caught fire, Lodge , SP5 and once it reached her cargo of rockets and 5AQ, to whom we extend our sincere ammunition, the rest of the crew were taken off by condolences. Restive. On the following day she sank 19 Low Flying in Wales kilometres (12 miles) off Oran at 4 am. ’s Squadron reached Oran safely but During the school holidays we spent three Ken weeks at our caravan in mid-Wales with our three without their Bofors Guns as they had been lost grandsons. At the end of the first two, very wet, with the troopship. The Squadron was hurriedly weeks on an overcast Saturday morning 1st re-equipped and served throughout the North August I think it was, my grandsons were African campaign, sometimes operating ahead of bemoaning the fact that they had not seen any jet the Army in order to seize airfields in the area of aircraft flying over the site since we had been th th ’t know how true it Cape Bon and Medjez el Bab. From 26 to 28 there. I told them - and I don February 1943 the Squadron was involved in is but it satisfied them - that they would be trainee fierce fighting on the approaches to Cap Serrat pilots and that they only flew in good weather. until with 2788 Squadron acting as rearguard, on th Only half an hour or so after I told them this the 7 March the Regiment withdrew safely to Bone sky cleared and wonderfully, three aircraft roared Airport. The Squadron continued on operation in fairly close overhead and my three grandsons North Africa until the Germans were finally Daniel aged 14, Samuel aged 11 and Tobias aged thrown out of Africa in May 1953. six were delighted. The landings at Anzio on 22nd January As it happened, the weather cleared for the 1944 threw immense strain on the Allied armies following week and they seem to think it was due and Regiment units were diverted to a variety of to the pilots. Due to the good weather, on the non-RAF tasks in this period. Some field following Tuesday I was playing golf with squadrons were used in the infantry role and Samuel at the Mid-Wales Golf Centre when three placed under Army command: 2771 and 2788 aircraft appeared again. My grandson forgot all Squadrons operated on the Cassino front under about golf as he followed the aircraft with his – command of the 2nd New Zealand Division and eyes, flying down the valley we had a great – 4th British Division respectively from 24th April view towards what seemed like almost certain to 27th May 1944. The Squadron took part in the ’s Squadron going into destruction against a hillside in the distance. We Battle of Casino with Ken held our breath as they continued flying at very the front line in October 1944 to relieve 2721 low level almost disappearing from sight against Squadron and were tasked with holding the line the ground until they swooped up and over the hill
5 and away. My grandson was awestruck and but only three of them are known as Tactical ’t wait to tell the other two boys all about it couldn Training Areas. It is only within these areas that when we got back to the caravan. I know that low Operational Low Flying is permitted. They are flying does sometimes cause complaints but I LFA 14T that is in central Scotland, LFA 20T that have no time at all for that point of view, for as far is in north-east England covering the Lake District as we were concerned, what we saw at our and the Yorkshire Dales and LFA 7T that covers caravan added immensely to our enjoyment of the most of Wales. It is only within these areas that holiday for we saw the aircraft flying low on a Operational Low Flying is permitted and this is number of other occasions and it always gave us when fixed wing aircraft are authorised to fly as such a thrill to see them. low as 100ft minimum separation distance, LOW FLYING although larger aircraft such as C-130 Hercules Low flying remains an essential skill for are only permitted to fly as low as 150ft. military aircrew. UK forces have deployed Low Flying Area 7 (LFA 7T) repeatedly to potential trouble spots around the LFA 7 covers the whole of Wales, apart world usually with little or no warning. They from a small area in the northeast of Powys which have to undertake a variety of roles including is within LFA 9. RAF Valley, RAF St Athan, the reconnaissance, fast-jet or helicopter operations, Air Weapons Range at Pembrey Sands, Army search and rescue, transporting troops or the barracks at Brawdy, Royal Artillery range at delivery of humanitarian aid to remote locations. Manorbier and Field Training Centres at Whatever missions we ask our Armed Forces to Castlemartin and Sennybridge are all in the area. undertake the aircrew must be able to fulfil the RAF Valley is at Holyhead, Anglesey and task as effectively as possible, often without time the aim of the Station is to train future fast jet for "work-up" training. Current operations around combat pilots. RAF St Athan is at Barry in the world see aircrew of both fixed and rotary South Glamorgan, RAF St Athan is the ’s new defence training wing aircraft undertaking operations at low level. designated site for the UK They are only able to do this through academy due for completion in 2017. specialist training gained through the use of the The Air Weapons Range at Pembrey UK Low Flying System. The UK Military Low Sands is at Burry Port, Carmarthenshire. RAF Flying System covers the open airspace of the Pembrey Sands Air Weapons Range is primarily whole of the UK and surrounding overseas areas an air-to-ground bombing and strafing practice from the surface to 2,000 feet above the ground or area but as military helicopters also use the range mean sea level. Military fixed wing aircraft are and its targets for cabin door gunnery practice, the judged to be low flying when they are less than RAF Regiment has got to be involved too I should 2000 feet minimum separation distance from the think. ground. Light propeller driven aircraft and The Army barracks at Brawdy houses helicopters are judged to be low flying below 500 the Royal Signals Regiment who are based in the feet minimum separation distance from the former RAF base. The Royal Artillery range at ground. Minimum separation distance is defined Manorbier is at Tenby, Pembrokeshire and was a as the distance that must be maintained between RAF airfield in World War Two but is now home any part of an aircraft in flight and the ground, to the Royal Artillery Air Defence Range water or any object. It does not apply to Manorbier. The range at Manorbier sees separation between aircraft in the same formation. considerable amount of usage for activities where Low Flying The Facts aircraft are working in support of the ground Low flying is an essential skill that forces. provides aircrew with one of the best chances of The Castlemartin Range is at survival. It is a highly demanding skill which can Merrion, Pembrokeshire and Senneybridge is only be maintained through continuous and part of the Army Field Training Estate. realistic training and is conducted with the safety Sennybridge Camp and Army Field Training of people on the ground, the aircrew, and other Centre is one of the major bases for Infantry airspace users as the overriding concern. It is also Warfare Training by the British Army in the UK. rigorously controlled and continuously monitored. In addition LFA 7 includes the Tactical There are twenty areas in the low flying system Training Area 7T. The Welsh landscape and little
6 controlled airspace above 2,000ft (offering complete except for the small region of the Pamir flexibility for military aircraft to enter or leave the plateau, conquered 11 year's later. By then, the lower airspace), combine to make LFA 7 a key Russian frontier met the frontiers of Persia, China training area for military low flying training. and Afghanistan. At one point the Russian- RAF advanced fast-jet pilot training is Afghan frontier was but a few miles from British carried out at RAF Valley using Hawk aircraft, India. Great Britain on the other hand, was a the range limitations of which generally mean that seafaring empire with possessions scattered all most of the associated flying activity needs to be over the globe and although not the largest, was carried out locally, some of it using the Pembrey the greatest and most powerful empire that the “Jewel in the Crown” Range. Much of the helicopter activity is world had ever seen. The associated with Castlemartin and Sennybridge, of the British Empire was India and although at RAF Search and Rescue training at RAF Valley, that time, the Russian Empire was not interested support helicopter and AAC aircrew pre- in conquering India, because the Russians were deployment training for overseas operations and sending exploratory expeditions into Afghanistan, the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF the British believed that they had India in mind. “Shawbury in the adjacent LFA” 9. From the British perspective, the Russian The Great Game Empire's expansion into Central Asia threatened to destroy the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Some of you may not be aware that the Empire, India. As the Tsar's troops began to current war in Afghanistan is the 4th war that the subdue one Khanate after another, the British British have fought in Afghanistan. The first and feared that Afghanistan would become a staging second wars began in the Nineteenth Century as a “The Great Game”. The third was in post for a Russian invasion of India. This led to result of what became known as the Great Game, where 1919 as a result of the Afghans sensing post- both Empires sought to extend their influence World War I British fatigue. The Great Game ’s novel over Afghanistan. The term "The Great Game" is was immortalised in Rudyard Kipling “Kim” and for those of usually attributed to Arthur Conolly (1807-1842), about Imperial India called an intelligence officer of the British East India you who have not read it, it is a great read and “boys own” Company's Sixth Bengal Light Cavalry. It was thoroughly enjoyable as a sort of introduced into mainstream consciousness by adventure story. But what was the Great Game British novelist Rudyard Kipling in his novel Kim and what was it all about? first published in 1901. The Great Game is a term used for the strategic rivalry and conflict between the British The First Anglo/Afghan War Empire and the Russian Empire for supremacy in December 1838-October 1842 Central Asia. The classic Great Game period is In order to ensure the welfare of India, the generally regarded as running approximately from British decided that they must have a trustworthy the Russo-Persian Treaty of 1813 to the Anglo- ally on India's western frontier. The official Russian Convention of 1907. Following the British position was that their troops were merely Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 a second, less supporting Shah Shuja's small army in retaking intensive phase followed. In the Nineteenth what was once his throne was generally seen (at Century, two world imperialistic powers were the time, as well as now) as a pretext for competing for supremacy in the Middle East; they incorporating Afghanistan into the British empire. were the Russian Empire and the British Empire. Although the Simla Manifesto stated that The Russian Empire was a land empire that had British troops would be withdrawn as soon as ’s oceans but no direct ice-free access to the world Shuja was installed in Kabul, Shuja's rule after the Mogul Empire was the largest continuous depended entirely on British arms to suppress empire the world had ever seen. rebellion and on British funds to buy the support At the beginning of the 19th century, of tribal chiefs. The British denied that they were Russia was the largest country in the world, invading Afghanistan, instead claiming they were extending from the Arctic Ocean to the north to merely supporting its legitimate Shuja the Black Sea on the south, from the Baltic Sea on government "against foreign interference and the west to the Pacific Ocean on the east and by factious opposition". However with Persia ruled 1884, the Russian conquest of Central Asia was by a pro-Russian it may well have been the case
7 that Britain was trying to install a pro-British substantial remaining British forces in their leader in Afghanistan to prevent Russia becoming cantonment just outside Kabul did nothing the dominant power and threatening the North- immediately. In the following weeks the British West Frontier. An army of 21,000 British and commanders tried to negotiate with Akbar Khan. Indian troops under the command of Sir John MacNaghten secretly offered to make Akbar Keane (subsequently replaced by Sir Willoughby Afghanistan's vizier in exchange for allowing the Cotten and then by Elphinstone) set out from the British to stay. A meeting for direct negotiations Punjab in December 1838. With them was between MacNaghten and Akbar was held near William Hay MacNaghten, the former chief the cantonment on 23 December, but MacNaghten secretary of the Calcutta government who had and the three officers accompanying him were been selected as Britain's chief representative to seized by Akbar's troops. MacNaghten and Kabul. They reached Quetta by late March 1839 Captain Trevor were murdered and their corpses and a month later took Kandahar without a battle. dismembered and displayed in the bazaar. On 1st In July, after a two-month delay in Kandahar, the January 1842 following some unusual thinking by British attacked the fortress of Ghazni, Elphinstone, that may have had something to do overlooking a plain leading eastward into the with the poor defensibility of the cantonment, an North West Frontier Province, and achieved a agreement was reached that provided for the safe decisive victory over Dost Mohammad's troops exodus of the British garrison and its dependants led by one of his sons. Dost Mohammad fled with from Afghanistan. Five days later, the retreat his loyal followers across the passes to Bamian, began. The departing British contingent and ultimately to Bukhara. In August 1839, after numbered around 16,000, of about 4,500 military almost thirty years, Shuja was again enthroned in personnel, and over 12,000 civilian camp Kabul. followers; the military force consisted mostly of The majority of the British troops returned Indian units and one British battalion, the 44th. to India (only 8,000 remained in Afghanistan), but Despite the safe-conduct they had been it soon became clear that Shuja's rule could only granted, as they struggled through the snowbound be maintained with the presence of British forces. passes, the British were attacked by Ghilzai The Afghans resented the British presence and warriors. The evacuees were harassed down the Shah Shuja. As the occupation dragged on, 30 miles (48 km) of treacherous gorges and passes MacNaghten allowed his soldiers to bring in their lying along the Kabul River between Kabul and families to improve morale; this further infuriated Gandamak, and massacred at the Gandamak pass the Afghans, as it appeared the British were before reaching the besieged garrison at Jalalabad. settling into a permanent occupation. After he The force had been reduced to fewer than unsuccessfully attacked the British and their forty men by a retreat from Kabul that had égé, Dost Mohammad surrendered to Afghan prot become, towards the end, a running battle through them and was exiled in India in late 1840. two feet of snow. The ground was frozen, the By this time the British had vacated the men had no shelter and had little food for weeks. fortress of Bala Hissar and instead moved to a Only a dozen of the men had working muskets, cantonment built to the North-East of Kabul. The the officers their pistols and a few unbroken location chosen was terrible, low and swampy swords. with hills on every side. To make matters worse The only Briton known to have escaped the cantonment itself was built too large and had a was Dr. William Brydon, though a few others defensive perimeter almost two miles wide. On were captured. Dr Brydon was, with one of his top of this the stores and supplies were in another, servants, allowed to go free in order to deliver the separate fort placed 300 yards from the main message of the destruction of the British force in cantonement. Afghanistan. Lady Butler's famous painting of By October 1841, however, disaffected Dr. William Brydon, initially thought to be the Afghan tribes were flocking to support Dost sole survivor, gasping his way to the British Mohammad's son, Mohammad Akbar Khan, in outpost in Jalalabad, helped make Afghanistan's Bamian. In November 1841 a senior British reputation as a graveyard for foreign armies and officer, Sir Alexander 'Sekundar' Burnes, and his became one of the great epics of Empire. aides were killed by a mob in Kabul. The Together with the attacks on the garrison at
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Kabul, Afghan forces also beleaguered the other failed, to keep them out. Russian envoys arrived British contingents in Afghanistan. These were at in Kabul on 22 July 1878 and on 14 August, the Kandahar (where the largest British force in the British demanded that Sher Ali accept a British country had been stationed), Jalalabad (held by a mission too. The Amir not only refused to receive force which had been sent from Kabul in October a British mission but threatened to stop it if it 1841 as the first stage of a planned withdrawal) were dispatched. Lord Lytton, the Viceroy of and Ghazni. Ghazni was stormed but the other India, ordered a diplomatic mission to set out for garrisons held out until relief forces arrived from Kabul in September 1878 but the mission was India in spring 1842. Akbar Khan was heavily turned back as it approached the eastern entrance defeated near Jalalabad and plans were laid for the of the Khyber Pass, triggering the Second Anglo- recapture of Kabul and the restoration of British Afghan War. A British force of about 40,000 hegemony. However, following a change of fighting men was distributed into military government in Britain, Auckland had been columns which penetrated Afghanistan at three replaced as Governor-General by Lord different points. An alarmed Sher Ali attempted Ellenborough, who was under instructions to to appeal in person to the Tsar of Russia for bring the war to an end. He ordered the forces at assistance, but unable to do so, he returned to Kandahar and Jalalabad to leave Afghanistan after Mazari Sharif, where he died on 21st February inflicting reprisals and securing the release of 1879. With British forces occupying much of the prisoners taken during the retreat from Kabul. country, Sher Ali's son and successor, In August 1842 General Nott advanced Mohammad Yaqub Khan, signed the Treaty of from Kandahar, pillaging the countryside and Gandamak in May 1879 to prevent a British seizing Ghazni, whose fortifications he invasion of the rest of the country. According to demolished. Meanwhile General Pollock, this agreement and in return for an annual subsidy advancing through the Khyber Pass from and vague assurances of assistance in case of Jalalabad, inflicted a further crushing defeat on foreign aggression, Yaqub relinquished control of Akbar Khan. The combined British forces took Afghan foreign affairs to the British. Kabul in September. A month later, having British representatives were installed in rescued the prisoners and demolished the city's Kabul and other locations, British control was main bazaar as an act of retaliation for the extended to the Khyber and Michni passes, and destruction of Elphinstone's column, they Afghanistan ceded various frontier areas and withdrew from Afghanistan through the Khyber Quetta to Britain. The British army then Pass. Dost Muhammad was released and restored withdrew. Soon afterwards, an uprising in Kabul ’s Resident in Kabul, to power in Kabul. led to the slaughter of Britain In the three decades after the First Anglo- Sir Pierre Cavagnari and his guards and staff on Afghan War the Russians advanced steadily 3rd September 1879, provoking the second phase southward towards Afghanistan. In 1842 the of the Second Afghan War. Major General Sir Russian border was on the other side of the Aral Frederick Roberts led the Kabul Field Force over Sea from Afghanistan, but five years later the the Shutargardan Pass into central Afghanistan, Tsar's outposts had moved to the lower reaches of defeated the Afghan Army at Char Asiab on 6th the Amu Darya. By 1865 Tashkent had been October 1879 and occupied Kabul. Ghazi formally annexed, as was Samarkand three years Mohammad Jan Khan Wardak staged an uprising later. A peace treaty in 1873 with Amir Alim and attacked British forces near Kabul in the Khan of the Manghit dynasty, the ruler of Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment in December Bukhara, virtually stripped him of his 1879, but his defeat there resulted in the collapse independence. Russian control now extended as of this rebellion. far as the northern bank of the Amu Darya. In Yaqub Khan, suspected of complicity in 1878, the British invaded again, beginning the the massacre of Cavagnari and his staff, was Second Anglo-Afghan War. obliged to abdicate. The British considered a The Second Anglo/Afghan War number of possible political settlements, including – September 1878 September 1880 partitioning Afghanistan between multiple rulers In 1878 Russia sent an uninvited or placing Yaqub's brother Ayub Khan on the diplomatic mission to Kabul. Sher Ali tried, but throne, but ultimately decided to install his cousin
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Abdur Rahman Khan as emir instead. Ayub this conflict. Not only did it allow them to extend Khan, who had been serving as governor of Herat, their reach beyond the border and bomb Kabul, rose in revolt, defeated a British detachment at the but it also enabled them to harass the retreating Battle of Maiwand in July 1880 and besieged enemy and to break up tribesmen as they Kandahar. Roberts then led the main British force attempted to form larger groups prior to launching from Kabul and decisively defeated Ayub Khan in an attack. September at the Battle of Kandahar, bringing his Afghan forces achieved some success in rebellion to an end. Abdur Rahman had the early days of the war as Pashtun tribesmen confirmed the Treaty of Gandamak, leaving the from both sides of the border joined forces with British in control of the territories ceded by them. The military skirmishes soon ended in Yaqub Khan and ensuring British control of stalemate as the British recovered from their Afghanistan's foreign policy in exchange for initial surprise. The war did not last long, protection and a subsidy. Abandoning the however, because both sides were soon ready to provocative policy of maintaining a British sue for peace; the Afghans were unwilling to resident in Kabul, but having achieved all their sustain continued British air attacks on Kabul and other objectives, the British withdrew. Jalalabad, and the British were unwilling to take The Third Anglo/Afghan War on an Afghan land war so soon after the rd – th 3 May 1919 8 August 1919 bloodletting of World War I. The month long war The end of the Second Afghan War in resulted in about 1000 Afghan dead and 2000 1880 marked the beginning of almost forty years British and colonial deaths. What the Afghans did of reasonably good relations between Britain and not gain in battle they gained ultimately at the Afghanistan under the leadership of Abdurrahman negotiating table. Deciding the outcome of the and Habibullah, during which time the British Third Afghan War is somewhat difficult however. attempted to manage Afghan foreign policy Ostensibly, by virtue of the fact that the British through the payment of a large subsidy. The main repulsed the Afghan invasion and drove them problem for the British was manpower. After the from Indian territory and that Afghan cities felt end of the First World War in 1918, the troops in the weight of the Royal Air Force's bombers, the India were no longer of the standard that they result of the conflict was a British tactical victory. might otherwise have been at another time. However, in achieving this the British and Indian Coming just after the end of a very costly war in troops suffered almost double the amount of Europe, the British will to fight and military- casualties that the Afghans suffered and so, as industrial capability to fight another war was very such, a certain degree of tarnish must be placed low. The Indian Army had been heavily upon their victory. committed to the First World War and had But while the war was over, the effects endured a large number of casualties. Many of its that it had were not. The nationalism, disruption units still had not returned from overseas, and and unrest that it had sparked stirred up more those that had begun a process of demobilisation trouble in the years to come, particularly in and as such many regiments had lost almost all Waziristan. The tribesmen, always ready to their most experienced men and likewise, the exploit weakness, whether real or perceived, British Army in India had been gutted. banded together in the common cause of disorder Sensing post-World War I British fatigue, and unrest. They had become well-armed too, as the frailty of British positions along the Afghan a result of the conflict, as they had benefitted border, unrest in British India, and confidence in greatly from the weapons and ammunition that the the consolidation of his power at home, Afghans had left behind as well as from the influx Amanullah, the new ruler of Afghanistan, of manpower in the large numbers of deserters suddenly attacked the British in May 1919 in two from the militia that had joined their ranks. With thrusts. Although, Amanullah had written the these they launched a campaign of resistance to British Viceroy of India, rejecting British control British authority on the North-West Frontier that of his foreign policy and declaring Afghanistan was to last until the end of the British Raj in India fully independent, the British were taken by in 1947. surprise. Airpower proved to be one of the The Fourth Anglo/Afghan War th – greatest assets that the British possessed during 7 October 2001 to date
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The war in Afghanistan, which began on threats to its stability from increased Taliban-led October 7th 2001 as the U.S. military operation insurgent activity, record-high levels of illegal “ ” Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) , was drug production, and a fragile government with launched by the United States with the United limited control outside of Kabul. Kingdom in response to the September 11 attacks. The war might be seen as unsuccessful in The war has a triple purpose: its primary officially stated purpose of capturing 1. to neutralise and to destroy Al-Qaeda, and Osama bin Laden, destroying opium industry in Osama bin Laden himself, Afghanistan, stop traffic of opium to the United 2. to destroy the opium industry in States and United Kingdom, while tensions have Afghanistan, which supports and finances grown between the USA and Pakistan due to all Al-Qaeda operations, incidents of coalition troops crossing the Pakistan 3. to stop opium traffic from Afghanistan to border while pursuing Taliban fighters.
the US and UK. ******************** The stated aim of the invasion was to find My next article is a poem and I will make Osama bin Laden and other high-ranking Al- no other comment other than the fact that it is ’s Qaeda members and put them on trial, to destroy based on my favourite poet Rudyard Kipling “Tommy” and that I enjoyed this o the whole organization of Al-Qaeda, and to poem ne too. It remove the Taliban regime which supported and was sent to me by Birmingham Branch member gave safe harbour to Al-Qaeda. The United Colin Smith of Warwick. My thanks to you States' Bush Doctrine stated that, as policy, it Colin. would not distinguish between terrorist organisations and nations or governments that Tommy (with apologies to Kipling) harbour them. Written by Patrick Campbell
Two military operations in Afghanistan They flew me 'ome from Baghdad are fighting for control over the country. with a bullet in me chest. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is a United Cos they've closed the army 'ospitals, States combat operation involving some coalition I'm in the NHS. partners and currently operating primarily in the eastern and southern parts of the country along the The nurse, she ain't no Britisher Pakistan border. Approximately 28,300 U.S. an' so she ain't impressed. troops are in OEF. The second operation is the It's like I'm some street corner thug International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), who's come off second best. which was established by the UN Security Council at the end of December 2001 to secure Yes, it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, Kabul and the surrounding areas. NATO an' "You're not welcome 'ere". assumed control of ISAF in 2003. By July 23, But when Saddam was collar'd, 2009, ISAF had around 64,500 troops from 42 they was quick enough to cheer. countries, with NATO members providing the They're proud when Tommy Atkins core of the force. The United States has 'olds the thin red line out there, approximately 29,950 troops in ISAF. But now he's wounded back at 'ome, The U.S. and the UK led the aerial he has to wait for care. bombing campaign, with ground forces supplied primarily by the Afghan Northern Alliance. In Some stranger in the next bed sez, 2002, American, British and Canadian infantry "Don't you feel no shame? were committed, along with Special Forces from You kill my Muslim brothers!" several allied nations including Australia. Later, So it's me not 'im to blame! NATO troops were added. The initial attack removed the Taliban from power, but Taliban An' then the cleaner ups an' sez forces have since regained some strength. The "Who are you fightin' for? war has been less successful in achieving the goal It ain't for Queen and country of restricting al-Qaeda's movement than 'cos it's Bush's bloody war!" anticipated. Since 2006, Afghanistan has seen It's Tommy this, an' Tommy that,
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– ” an' "Tommy, what's that smell?" A Short History . This time an updated short But it's "God go with you, Tommy," history of the RAF Regiment from 1942 to 1982 when they fly us out to 'ell. with a brief account of the approach to the problems of airfield defence in the Royal Air O then we're just like 'eroes Force from 1918 until the formation of its own from the Army's glorious past. defence Corps in 1942. It is a 40th Anniversary Yes, it's "God go with you, Tommy," Edition and was published in 1982. No ISBN when the trip might be your last. Number and now out of print.
They pays us skivvy wages, "Khaki and Blue" the early ground defence of never mind we're sitting ducks, the RAF in WW2 by Colonel Ronald Sherbrooke- When clerks what's pushing pens at 'ome Walker TD DL. Published in 1952 by The Saint Catherine Press Ltd. Now out of print. No ISBN. don't know their flippin' luck. “ ” A Short History of the RAF Regiment from "Ah, yes" sez they 1942 to 1970 with a brief account of the approach "but think of all the travel to be 'ad." to the problems of airfield defence in the RAF Pull the other one. from 1918 to 1942 by Kingsley M Oliver. Printed Does Cooks do 'olidays in Baghdad? by Thanet Printing Works in 1969. No ISBN Number and now out of print. It's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, “ – The Royal Air Force Regiment A Short an' "Tommy, know your place," ” th History . A 40 Anniversary edition. An But it's "Tommy, take the front seat," updated short history of the RAF Regiment from when there's terrorists to chase. 1942 to 1982 with a brief account of the approach An' the town is full of maniacs to the problems of airfield defence in the Royal air who'd like you dead toot sweet. Force from 1918 until the formation of its own Yes, it's "Thank you, Mr Atkins," defence Corps in 1942. By Group Captain when they find you in the street. Kingsley Oliver and Wing Commander Keith Batt. Published in 1982 by Adlard and Son Ltd, There's s'pposed to be a covynant Bartholomew Press, Dorking, Surrey. No ISBN to treat us fair an' square Number and now out of print. But I 'ad to buy me army boots, “ ” The Edges of War An RAF Regiment Story by an' me combats is threadbare. Tim Hillyar. About 2804 Armoured Car An' 'alf the bloody 'elicopters Squadron, from landing in France at the end of can't get into the air, June 1944, through the fighting in Europe to the An' me pistol jammed when snipers fired. British Victory Parade in Berlin on 21st July 1945. That's why I'm laid up 'ere. Privately published in 1992 by Tim Hillyar. I have no contact details. Yes, it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, “ ” The Battle of the Airfields 1st January 1945 "We 'ave to watch the pence"; “Operation by Norman L Franks. About Bold as brass the P.M. sez, ” Bodenplatte when the Germans attempted to "We spare them no expense. destroy the advanced Allied Airfields. First "But I'll tell you when they do us proud published in 1982. ISBN 1 898697 15 9. an' pull out all the stops, Republished by Grub Street in 1994 in an updated it's when Tommy lands at Lyneham version. “ ” in a bloomin' wooden box! The Blue and Khaki Hunters Privately RAF Regiment Books published in a Limited Edition of 500 copies in I am often asked for information about 1993 by D F Sampson through Newton books about the RAF Regiment. The following Publishers. ISBN 1-872308-34-1. Can be list is of the books that I know of that I am obtained directly from Mr D F Sampson, 17 regularly adding to. If anyone knows of any other Shelley Close, Highcliffe on Sea, Christchurch, books about the RAF Regiment, please let me Dorset, BH23 4HW. Telephone number 01425 know. I have added yet another book about the 279206. “ RAF Regiment, The Royal Air Force Regiment
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"Below the Bottom Rung" the RAF Regiment in family, is home to several First World War Palestine by Edward Grocott. Published in 1996 memorials. Visitors can explore the Gallipoli by J and K H Publishing. ISBN 1 900511 57 6. memorial which is dedicated to the nations who "Through Adversity" the History of the RAF took part in the 1915 Gallipoli campaign and Regiment 1942 - 1992 by Kingsley M Oliver. features a sculpture of dead oak trees representing Published in 1997 by Forces and Corporate the arms of injured soldiers reaching upwards in Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0 9529597 0 4. the hope of rescue as they lie in the mud among "In Adversity" Exploits of Gallantry and Awards the unburied dead. Nearby is a large glass to the RAF Regiment and its Associated Forces mosaic showing a map of the theatre of war. 1921 - 12995 by Nicholas G Tucker. Published The Battle of the Somme, possibly the in 1997 by Jade Publishing Limited. ISBN 1- most bloody in military history, with 1.5 million 900734-08-7. casualties is remembered by the Western Front "The RAF Regiment" History, Colours, Association who have an avenue of hornbeams, uniforms and Equipment of the RAF Regiment. propagated from the only tree in the notorious Edited by Stuart Asquith. Published in 2000 by Delville Wood that survived the intense battle. Nexus Special Interests Ltd. Book Number Shot at Dawn, situated at the part of the 001772. Foreword by Air Commodore R C Arboretum that gets the first light, is a moving Moore, MBE, RAF, Commandant General, RAF memorial featuring a central statue modelled on a Regiment. But now out of print. 17-year old soldier who was executed at Ypres in "The RAF Regiment at War" 1942 - 1946 by 1915. As punishment for various offences, British Kingsley M Oliver. Published in 2002 by Pen and and Commonwealth military command executed Sword Books Limited. ISBN 0-85052-852-6. 306 of its own men during the First World War. "On the Road to Mandalay" featuring the life of Since pardoned, it is recognised that many of the author Randle Manwaring focussing those shot were underage at the time of enlisting particularly on his time with the RAF Regiment in and many had suffered shell shock or post the Burma Campaign. Published in 2006 by Pen traumatic stress disorder. and Sword Books Limited. ISBN 1844154971. Royal Navy Patrol Service Memorial "Constant Vigilance" the RAF Regiment in the A new memorial to fallen members of Burma Campaign by Nigel W M Warwick. World War Two's Royal Naval Patrol Service was Published in 2007 by Pen and Sword Books dedicated at the NMA on 23rd August 2009. Limited. ISBN: 9781844155002. “ ” Dubbed the 'Navy within a Navy', the patrol Joint Force Harrier by Commander Adrian service cleared the seas of devastatingly effective – Orchard, with James Barrington. The true story Nazi mines to tremendous success yet terrible of a Royal Navy Fighter squadron at war. loss of life. Throughout the early years of the war Published in 2008 by Penguin Books and Micael mines were laid by the Germans by sea and air Joseph. ISBN 9780718153991. around the British Isles in an attempt to strangle If anyone knows of any other books, the coastal convoys which were used to keep please let me know. Britain supplied. NATIONAL MEMORIAL It was the work of the RNPS to keep the ARBORETUM (NMA) UPDATE shipping lanes clear so that the convoys could Wreath laid by last British survivor of WWI continue. More than 125,000 mines were laid in trenches on display at National Memorial Europe alone during the Second World War and Arboretum the new memorial at the Arboretum features a In tribute to Harry Patch, who died last replica of the type that the Royal Naval Patrol month at the age of 111, the wreath laid by him at Service had to clear. the Cenotaph last Armistice Day has gone on "We played a uniquely valuable and public display at the National Memorial dangerous role during the war and suffered Arboretum. Harry Patch, who joined the Army enormous casualties," said John Hodge, aged 18, fought in the Battle of Passchendaele at Birmingham branch secretary for the service's Ypres in 1917. The battle resulted in the deaths veteran's association. This memorial is a fitting tribute to all of our brave comrades that didn't of more than 70,000 British soldiers. The ” Arboretum, part of the Royal British Legion make it home . Mr Hodge can be contacted on
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0121 308 4596. The memorial commemorates the total height of over 3m. It is to be unveiled by – 13,890 men who were lost 2,385 of whom have Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal at the no known grave. Over 125,000 mines were laid National Memorial Arboretum on Monday 28th in Europe alone during WWII and the impressive September 2009. new memorial at the very heart of the Arboretum Future Events at the NMA features a replica of the type the Royal Naval Saturday 19 September Patrol Service had to clear. Polish Forces War Memorial Established in August 1939, with an initial Dedication and unveiling ceremony of memorial fleet comprising 6,000 fishermen and 200 to commemorate Polish military and civilians who requisitioned trawlers, drifters, pleasure steamers served and died during WWII. The Duke of Kent and whaling vessels, the patrol service played a will unveil the memorial. On site at 12.00 noon key part in the war effort. Sailors were drawn for start of service, followed by RAF flypast from fishing ports and other towns and cities (subject to weather conditions). Contact: Dr. across the UK and stationed at HMS Europa, a Mark Stella-Sawicki, Tel: 0208 997 4848 or email base erected on the municipal gardens in [email protected] Lowestoft, Norfolk. Eventually growing to a Sunday 20 September force of 66,600 men and women, with 2,000 HMT Lancastria Annual Service of ships, and operating from the Arctic to the creeks Remembrance to those lost at St Nazaire on 17th of South East Asia, they worked tirelessly to keep June 1940 at the Millennium Chapel at 2.00 p.m. lanes open to ports and were instrumental in Contact: Justin Bowley on 01509 237844. enabling the successful D-Day Landings. RAFA Remembrance Memorial Saturday 26 September Sculpture Nearing Completion 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. Work on a stainless steel eagle sculpture Commemorative event (supported by the Ministry which will form the centre piece of the RAFA's of Defence) at 12.00 noon to mark the 60th remembrance garden at the National Memorial anniversary of the operation. Telephone 0800 169 Arboretum near Burton on Trent is well on 2277 for ticket application forms. Note that schedule. Tim and Fran Mackereth, who own applications are not administered by the Arboretum. Anwick Forge, were commissioned to produce the th sculpture, having previously produced the Monday 28 September 2009 Commando Veterans' Association memorial at the Unveiling by Her Royal Highness the same location and provided the metalwork for the Princess Royal of stainless steel eagle sculpture Fire Service Memorial Trust's garden which will form the centre piece of the RAFA's remembrance garden at the NMA. The latest unique memorial to be produced th by the local blacksmith will commemorate all Saturday 10 October 2009 those who have served in the Royal Air Force and The annual Ride to the Wall to remember the air forces of the Commonwealth. Once all the troops that have died on duty since World complete, the stainless steel eagle will perch, with War II. The Inaugural Ride which took place last its wings aloft, on top of a globe of the world, and October, saw more than 2,500 motorcyclists ride together to the National Memorial Arboretum. will be the central feature of the new RAFA ’s Several improvements are planned for this year memorial garden. The vast hand crafted th monument is a depiction of the RAFA emblem event which is on the 10 October 2009. Because and will be made up of around 1,000 hand-forged of the vast numbers involved, a new assembly feathers. point has been chosen - Drayton Manor, Mrs Mackereth said: "The eagle sculpture Tamworth, Staffs, B78 3TW - about 15 miles is coming on nicely. It is in skeletal form at the from the National Memorial Arboretum. moment and the intricate feathers are being The Manor has improved parking space finished off. Once completed, it will be a and facilities and overnight camping is also beautiful memorial." The sculpture, which will be available. There will also be an RAF Spitfire mounted on a stone plinth about 1m high, will flypast following the service. For further measure approximately 2.2m from the tip of the information please contact: Martin Dickinson, eagle's wings to the base of the globe, giving a Founder, Chairman RTTW Organising Committee
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15 those that served in the Middle East/Iraq from WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT AT RAFA 1992. The collation and storage system is still 'BREW FOR THE FEW' EVENT AT being developed but it would be helpful if those COSFORD who were involved would record their experiences Cpl Hefti, of 1 Sqn RAF Regt, will be etc while memories are relatively fresh. Once we taking part in a World Record breaking attempt to have the required infrastructure in place, the launch RAFA's 'Brew for the Few' event at coordinator will call for input. Cosford on 3 Sep 09. Essentially, he will be FORMATION OF THE EIGHTH FP WING 'looping the loop' 300 times with a cup of tea in HQ AND RAF REGT FIELD SQN his hands, in an aircraft flown by Wg Cdr (Retd) In order to increase the RAF Regt's Andy Offer (former OC 4 Sqn and Ex Red capability, the Armed Forces Minister, Bill Arrows 'Red 1'). Rammell, announced in the House of SPREADING THE WORD Commons, on 9 Jul 09, that he has decided to Since its inception in late-2006, over establish an additional RAF Force Protection (FP) 105,000 individual Corps Parish Notices have Wg HQ and RAF Regt Field (Fd) Sqn. been sent worldwide with the sole intention of The units will increase the time that their providing timely Corps-related information to personnel spend between operational deployments both Serving and veteran Corpsmen. ’t regi and will bring the RAF Regt's harmony levels If you haven stered to receive them, ’t, please more into line with Govt guidelines, and should or know of others who could but don have a positive effect on the retention of skilled register the required Email address with the Regt personnel. Recruitment and training are Sec. Similarly there are countless Corps ’t subscribe to the Regt underway to meet the additional 12 personnel members who still don required for the FP Wg HQ and the 172 personnel Fund in order to receive the Centurion journal. ’t know what is for the RAF Regt Fd Sqn. Both units will be Anyone now saying that they don formed from Oct 09. An ongoing basing study going on with their Corps has no excuse! Please has determined that the optimum basing solution help to spread the word! for the new RAF Regt Fd Sqn will be either RAF CORPS DIARY DATES: – Shawbury or RAF Leuchars. 2-4 Oct 09 Combined RAF Regt Assoc and The basing work for the FP Wg HQ is at Assoc of WOs & SNCOs AGMs and Reunion an earlier stage and the options have yet to be (Coventry) refined, with the final outcome of the studies are 15-16 Oct 09 - RAF Armd Car Assoc Autumn – expected by Autumn 2009. More information, Reunion (Derby) Formal Dinner on 16 Oct. th ’ Dinner Club including the intended number-plate of the 8 Fd 30 Oct 09 - RAF Regt Officers Sqn, will be published when known. Annual Dinner (Def CBRN Centre, Winterbourne – RAFR REGT ASSOC ELECTION 2009 Gunner) – – Voting in the 2009 Election of the RAF 5 Nov 08 Garden of Remembrance ’ Regt Assoc s National Secretary and National Westminster Abbey – Treasurer has now closed. Any Voting Papers 8 Nov 09 Remembrance Day (Cenotaph, now received will be discounted. The Voting London and Nationwide) Count, by NEC-Nominated Assoc officials, will 11 Nov 09 - Armistice Day (Cenotaph, London take place at RAF Honington on Thu 17 Sep. The and Nationwide) results will remain sealed and confidential until 26 Nov 09 - Presentation of new Standard to 63 ’s AGM that will be held in released at the Assoc Sqn RAF Regt (details to be announced). Coventry on Sat 3 Oct 09. 15 Dec 09 - Centurion Journal No28 contributions ANOTHER YEOMAN WARDER FROM deadline. THE REGT 5 Feb 10 - Handover-Takeover of CG RAF Regt We are pleased to announce that, with effect from appointment. 3 Aug 09, former RAF Regt FS Peter McGowran 5 Feb 10 - Officers' Corps Formation Dinner has been appointed a Yeoman Warder of HM (RAF Honington). – Tower of London. Peter McGowran served from 8 May 10 Annual RAF Regt Chapel – 1975-2000 and he joins Bob Loughlin MBE in Commemoration Catterick (provisional date) that very select group.
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– 18-21 May 10 Regt-USAF Exchange Offrs ‘British Invasion III (Washingt on DC) ’ Dinner Club 11 Jun 10 - RAF Regt Officers – Reception (House of Lords) incl Palace of Westminster Tour. 26 Jun 10 - RAF Regt Annual Memorial Commemoration (NMA Alrewas). 27 Jun 10 - National Armed Forces Day (NMA Alrewas and nationwide). JOKE TIME With all the sadness and trauma going on ’s worth reflecting on in the world at this time, it the death of a very important person, which went almost unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man that wrote 'The Hokey Kokey' died peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into his coffin. They put his left leg in. Then the trouble started!
’s all for now, Well that but in spite of the weather keep smiling. Malcolm
16 th th ’ Sat 28 -Sun 29 Nov 2009 B ham Int Tattoo NIA th ’ Monday 30 November 09 St Andrew s Day DATES FOR Thursday 10th December 09 Branch Night MAKE Thursday 14th January 2010 Branch Night YOUR st th A Monday 1 February 2010 68 Ann RAF Regiment st DIARIES DATE Monday 1 February 2010 Branch Service at NMA Thursday 11th February 2010 68th Ann RAF Regiment Thursday 11th February 2010 Branch Night and AGM nd – th Fri 2 Mon 5 Oct 2009 Ass.n Autumn Reunion Thursday 11th February 2010 Branch Subs Due th st ’ Sunday 4 October 2009 Merchant Navy Day Monday 1 March 2010 St David s Day Thursday 8th October 2009 Branch Night Thursday 11th March 2010 Branch Night st th ’ Wednesday 21 Oct 2009 Battle of Trafalgar Day Wednesday 17 March 2010 St Patrick s Day Sunday 1st November 2009 Midlands Fest of Rem. 15th - 30th March 2010 65th Ann Battle of Meiktila Sunday 8th Nov 2009 Remembrance Sunday Monday 5th April 2010 9th Ann Ded of Mem.l Wednesday 11th Nov 2009 Remembrance Day Thursday 8th April 2010 Branch Night th rd ’ Thursday 12 Nov 2009 Branch Night Friday 23 April 2010 St George s Day th ’ Saturday 14 Nov 2009 B ham Poppy Ball Thursday 13th May 2010 Branch Night
CHAIRMAN SECRETARY TREASURER Ron Sharp Malcolm A Baldwin Tom Magee 46 Lightwood Road 61 Pear Tree Crescent 11 Pavilion Avenue Yoxall, Burton on Trent Solihull Lodge, Shirley Smethwick, Warley Staffordshire DE13 8QE Solihull, B90 1LE West Midlands, B67 6LA Tel No: 01543 472411 Tel: 0121 608 3791 Tel: 0121 429 5635 e-mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
MINUTE SECRETARY BRANCH WELFARE OFF/STD B Ken Bridgwood QUARTERMASTER John Docker 29 Claverdon Drive Tom Magee 151 Calder Drive Great Barr 11 Pavilion Avenue Walmley Birmingham Smethwick, Warley Sutton Coldfield West Midlands, B45 5HR West Midlands, B67 6LA West Midlands Tel: 0121 357 4242 Tel: 0121 429 5635 e-mail B76 1GG [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 0121 351 5580
PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT AND RBL RESEARCH CO-ORD/ Peter Swash LIAISON OFFICER LINK-UP DATA BASE ‘ ’ Mdina Rowney Green Lane Dave Gooding Hughie Cooper Rowney Green 31 Queen Elizabeth Road 11 Sandringham Close Redditch Rubery, Rednal Baswich Lane Worcestershire, B48 7QF Birmingham, B45 0NE Stafford, ST17 0AB Tel No: 01527 60870 Tel: 0121 604 4637 Tel: 01785 242269 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
PUBLIC RELATIONS FINANCIAL AUDITOR FINANCIAL AUDITOR OFFICER/SOCIAL SEC Trevor Round Joan Round Michael Beard 45 Sandfields Road 45 Sandfields Road 21 Abingdon Road Sedgley Sedgley Bloxwich, Walsall Dudley Dudley West Midlands West Midlands West Midlands WS3 2SX DY3 3LB DY3 3LB Tel: 01922 491453 Tel: 01902 672597 Tel: 01902 672597
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